The Library’s chief operating officer, Pritha Hariharan, and her son Jai received a donation for Summer Reading 2025 from the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. (credit: Kansas City Public Library)
Pritha Hariharan loves the excitement around the Kansas City Public Library’s all-ages Summer Reading Program. It’s the chief operating officer’s second year to participate — before starting at the library, it wasn’t on her family’s radar.
Their first impression? She and her sons loved it.
Growing up in India, Hariharan moved every two years because her father was in the army. In each new town, she immediately found the library. But in her native country, libraries were not free. And they certainly didn’t have summer reading programs.
As she looks forward to all the perks of the Summer Reading Program — receiving a free book just for registering, reading five books to win a prize, and participating in fun activities — she thinks of other adults and children who might be new to the idea.
“I would invite them to come check it out. And not just Summer Reading, but also the library and everything the library has to offer,” Hariharan says.
The library offers activities for children, teens, and adults nearly every day of the week. Check with your favorite branch by visiting kclibrary.org/calendar. Here are just a few coming up at a handful of locations. Many are recurring!
Pop In at the Park
This program runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at four area parks through Aug. 7.
- Readers of all ages can sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Program.
- Free Kids Café meals provided by Total Man are available for children ages 1 to 18 during each pop-up session.
- Visit kclibrary.org/kcparks for details.
Bluford
- Tweens Club | 8 to 12-year-olds can practice social skills and make friends on Monday, July 6 at 4:30 p.m.
- Tabletop Guild | 12 to 18-year-olds play a variety of tabletop games, Tuesday, July 14 at 5 p.m.
- Build a Foosball Table for the Teen Corner | 12 to 18-year olds on Wednesdays, July 22 and 29 at 2 p.m.
North-East
- Kinder Ready Storytime | Cuentos Infantiles on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Ruiz
- Conversational Spanish Club | Tuesday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Southeast
- Drink. Chill. Repeat. | Grab a cool drink and a book on Monday, July 6 at 10:30 a.m.
- Paint and Sip With Mocktails | Tuesday, July 7 at 1 p.m.
- Fantastic Voyages Book Group | Adults meet to discuss fiction about adventure on Tuesday, August 4 at 4 p.m.
Sugar Creek
- Senior Social Hour | Adults and senior adults play a game or chat on Wednesday, July 22 at 3 p.m.
Trails West
- LEGO Club | Monday, July 6 at 1:30 p.m.
- Trailblazers Book Group | July 18 and Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. Watch the calendar for adult Dungeons & Dragons as well as information about the summer gardening program!
